MEDIA CENTER News & Event UDUAGHAN LAUNCHES 100 MASS TRANSIT BUSES TO CUSHION EFFECTS OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has commissioned 100 Hiace Toyota buses to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy as well as directed commercial transporters to revert to the old transport fares before the subsidy removal.
He also immediately set up a three man palliatives committee on the removal of fuel subsidy with Boardroom guru, Mr G. O. Onosode as chairman, with Chief Philip Asiodu and Mrs. Elizabeth Adegite as members with the mandate to monitor the implementation of the proceeds from subsidy removal in the state.
Dr.Uduaghan who made the promise during the commissioning of the 18 seater buses in Asaba enjoined the transporters to revert to the old fares as the state government would be responsible for the difference in the transport fares before and after the subsidy removal.
His words “l appeal to transport operators in the state mass transit scheme to revert back to the old fares charged before the removal of fuel subsidy as my administration will subsidies the fares for the next six months.”
He continued: “In support of the operations of these vehicles and to further reduce the pressure of the recent transport fare adjustment on commuters. The state government has decided to subsidies passengers fares on the vehicles”.
Explaining further, he noted that the state government would take care of the increase that has occurred after the removal of fuel subsidy for the benefit of Deltans.
Governor Uduaghan stated that his administration would take delivery of 50-seater Marco polo buses and 130 boats for the riverine communities in the next few weeks as palliative measures to help reduce the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on Deltans. “So far we have a total of 100 salon cars for taxis and over 500 buses in the scheme deployed to various areas of the state to improve on the transport sector and reduce the stress associated with daily movement of Deltans.”
He commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the peaceful protest in the state and advised them to take advantage of the current dialogue and call off the strike action as it was causing damage to the national economy.
Governor Uduaghan observed that the subsidy removal would secure the future for the youths even as he commended labour for the orderly and peaceful manner it conducted itself during the protest.
The governor announced the setting up of a three-member committee that would monitor the implementation of the projects to be funded with the proceeds from oil subsidy removal. The committee which has Deacon Gamaliel Onosode as Chairman has Chief Phillip Asiodu and Mrs. Elizabeth Adegite as members. The governor who dwelt on the pedigree of members of the committee said earnings from the subsidy removal would be utilized on critical infrastructures such as education, power, agriculture, transport and health.
Governor Uduaghan further highlighted the sectors that will benefit from the proceeds of the fuel subsidy, as he announced the mandate of Onosode palliatives committee adding: “With the withdrawal of subsidy, resources can now be deployed to address critical areas of our economy. In Delta, we will utilise our earnings to address such critical infrastructure as:
Ascerting that he was aware of the serious impact of the subsidy removal on the transport sector, Dr. Uduaghan said he would utilize Delta Transport Service, Agofure Motors, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Nigeria Labour Congress and Student Union bodies in the management of the buses to ensure efficient service delivery and moderate fares.
While promising to continue to provide people oriented services to Deltans the governor appealed to benefiting operators of the buses to use them properly.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the keys to the buses to Delta Transport Service, Agofure Motors, NURTW, the NLC and the student union body
